Atletico Madrid hammers Real Betis

Promising teenager Oliver Torres scored 13 seconds into his first start for Atletico Madrid on Sunday before veteran David Villa added a brace in its 5-0 rout of Real Betis, keeping the team pegged one point behind Spanish leader Barcelona.

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Oliver connected with a squared ball from Jorge ”Koke” Resurreccion that took a deflection off Betis defender Jordi Figueras before falling for him to fire home just moments after the opening whistle at Vicente Calderon Stadium.

It was an ideal start for the 18-year-old midfielder making his first appearance in Atletico’s starting 11. Minutes later, he almost assisted Diego Godin, who headed his pass past the upright.

”It was a dream come true when I got up this morning knowing that I would make my first start,” Oliver said. ”And to begin with a goal, that gave me more confidence. I want to thank all our fans and dedicate the goal to my father whose birthday is today.”

Oliver is considered one of the league’s most gifted up-and-coming players for his playmaking abilities. He debuted for Atletico in 2012, the same year he helped Spain’s under-19 team win the European championships.

”That kid has a great future ahead of him,” Villa said about Oliver. ”All of us love him. He doesn’t have to rush. Our fans will be able to enjoy him for years and years to come. He just needs to be patient.”

The 31-year-old Villa, Spain’s all-time leading scorer, ended his month-long scoring drought with a much-needed double after being overshadowed by strike partner Diego Costa since his move from Barcelona this summer.

Having gotten his pair of goals, Villa capped his best outing for Atletico by passing for Diego Costa to notch his league-leading 11th goal of the season.

Backup Stephan Andersen replaced him but could do nothing in the 53rd to stop Villa’s glancing header to angle Filipe Luis’s cross down and inside the far post.

”I’m happy for the win and for feeling healthy again after a long time suffering on the pitch,” said Villa, who had to turn down a call-up from Spain earlier this month with an ankle problem. ”I knew I would score goals eventually. I knew that they would arrive because that’s how my career has gone.”

Villa hit again four minutes later when he finished off a counterattack with Betis completely off-balance. He then expertly controlled a long pass before playing Diego Costa through to roll the ball in for the fourth goal in the 65th.